The Ruling Regarding Birthdays
Question: What do the Ulema of Deen and the Muftis say about the following: The
Christians here in Britain have the custom of celebrating birthdays. Every year on the
date of a child's birth, they invite family and friends and even arrange for music to
be played. Each person then brings a gift and a large cake is prepared according to
the age of the person. A number of candles corresponding with the number of years
in the person's age are then placed on the cake. If the child is five years old, five
candles are placed on the cake and if he is six, six candles are placed. When
everyone then gathers at night, the child blows out the candles. It is regarded as a
good sign if all the candles are extinguished in one breath and then everyone starts
to cheer. The child then gets to cut the cake and everyone starts to sing, "Happy
birthday to you!"
Although this practice is a Christian practice, many Muslims from India, Pakistan and
other countries are also gradually adopting it. We appeal to you to please shed light
on the subject from viewpoint of the Qur'aan and Ahadeeth. May Allaah reward you
abundantly. It is very possible that Allaah will use your writing as a means of
guidance for the Muslims here. (Bartley, England)
Answer: Hadhrat Abu Sa'eed Khudri t reports that Rasulullaah r said, "You people
will certainly follow in the footsteps of those before you, handspan by handspan and
arm's length by arm's length to the extent that even if they entered the hole of a
chameleon, you would do the same."1
Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Amr t narrates that Rasulullaah r said, "Everything that
happened to the Bani Israa'eel shall happen to my Ummah just as one footstep
follows another, to the extent that even if one of them committed open incest with
his mother, there will be someone from my Ummah who will do the same."2
How can someone who professes to believe in Rasulullaah r and who recites the
Kalimah ever do the things stated in the question? May Allaah forgive. These acts of
sheer ignorance and kufr can be carried out only by those who have no Imaan or
whose Imaan is at the lowest ebb.
Tafseer Baydawi3 mentions some practices of the Kuffaar and then adds that
adopting them is Kufr not because they are Kufr in themselves but because they
denote refutation of Rasulullaah r. A person who believes that Rasulullaah r is the
true Nabi will never adopt these practices."
Rasulullaah r said, "Whoever imitates a nation is from amongst them (in the
Aakhirah)."4 Rasulullaah r also said, "None of you can be Mu'min until his desires are
subservient to that (Deen) which I have brought."5
Hadhrat Abdul Qaadir Jaylaani said, "Saying that you are part of the Ummah of
Rasulullaah r will not benefit you until you follow him in word and in deed. Only then
will you be in his company in the Aakhirah."6
1 Bukhaari (Vol.2 Pg.1088).
2 Mishkaatul Masaabeeh (Pg.30).
3 Pg. 23.
4 Mishkaatul Masaabeeh (Pg.375).
5 Mishkaatul Masaabeeh (Pg.30).
6 Fat'hur Rabbaani Pg.178.
Imitating the Kuffaar is a despised act indeed. Allaama Ibn Hajar Haythami has
quoted from Hadhrat Maalik bin Dinaar that Allaah once sent revelation to one of
the Ambiyaa
saying, "Tell your people that they should never enter the places of
My enemies, never wear the clothing of My enemies and never use the means of
transport of My enemies, otherwise (when they cannot be differentiated) they may
become My enemies just like them."7
Doctor Allaama Iqbal complains (in a couplet which means):
"There is a clamour that there are no Muslims on earth
We say that there must be some Muslims around
Their dressing however is that of the Christians and culture that of the Hindus
Looking at these Muslims even the Jews are put to shame"
People were never invited for birthdays during the time of Rasulullaah r and even
though circumcision is a Sunnah and emphasised practice, people were not even
invited to celebrate this. Hadhrat Hasan reports that when someone invited
Hadhrat Uthmaan bin Abul Aas t to a circumcision ceremony, he refused the offer
saying, "Neither did we invite people for a circumcision ceremony during the
time of Rasulullaah r, nor did we attend any."8
Celebrating birthdays is purely a non-Muslim custom that Muslims should avoid. If
they do not, there is the great danger of their Imaan becoming corrupted. Allaah
says in the Qur'aan: "And do not incline towards (do not associate with and do
not imitate) those who do wrong (the Kuffaar), for then the Fire (of Jahannam)
shall reach you and you will not have any helpers (to save you) against (the
punishment of) Allaah and you will not be assisted (by anyone)."9
The Shari'ah has taught us everything that we need to do and Allaah has also sent
Rasulullaah r to demonstrate everything practically. Allaah says: "There is
definitely an excellent example in Allaah's Rasool r for the one who fears
Allaah and the Last Day, and who remembers Allaah abundantly."10
Another verse of the Qur'aan states: "Hold fast to what (commands) the Rasool
r gives you and refrain from what (actions) He prevents you (because
whatever he instructs you is from Allaah)."11
It is therefore necessary to act according to the example Rasulullaah r set. Ignoring
this example is to beg from the Kuffaar and follow their ways shows gross ingratitude
to the bounty that Allaah blessed us with. The Sahabah y made his example their
beacon light and led their lives as Rasulullaah r taught them. Because of this, they
accomplished great feats that will be remembered until the Day of Qiyaamah. They
also received Allaah's unseen help because of this and their enemies were awestruck
by them. Allaah also sent angels to assist them, as Allaah says about the Battle of
Badr: "When your Rabb commanded the angels saying, "Indeed I am with
you, so strengthen the Mu'mineen (assist them in battle). I soon shall cast
terror into the hearts of the Kuffaar…"12
7 Zawaajir an Iftiraaqil Kabaa'ir Pg.15.
8 Ahmad (Vol.4 Pg.217).
9 Surah Hood, verse 113.
10 Surah Ahzaab, verse 21.
11 Surah Hashar, verse 7.
12 Surah Anfaal, verse 12.
Concerning the Battle of Uhud, Allaah says: "We shall soon cast fear into the
hearts of the Kuffaar because they ascribe partners to Allaah (an act) for
which no justification has been revealed. Their abode (in the Aakhirah) is the
Fire (of Jahannam), and it (Jahannam) is indeed an evil abode for the
oppressors (the wrongdoers)."13
There was a Jewish tribe living in Madinah called the Banu Qurayzah. They were
always scheming to harm the Muslims and concerning the time when the Muslims
finally confronted them in battle, Allaah says: "He (Allaah) made those people of
the Book (the Jewish Banu Qurayzah tribe) who assisted them (the combined
armies) descend from their fortresses (when the Muslims laid siege to them after
the battle) and He cast fear into their hearts (causing them to surrender without
a fight). You execute a party of them and take another party as prisoners."14
Concerning the time when the Muslims faced the Jewish Banu Nadheer tribe in
battle, Allaah says, "Allaah cast terror (for the Muslims) into their hearts (the
hearts of the Jews) and (when they prepared to leave Madinah,) they uprooted
(took down) their homes with their own hands (to take with them as much as
they could carry) and with the hands of the Mu'mineen (who assisted them to
leave). So take heed, O people with insight!"15
All this was attained because the Sahabah y followed the ways of Rasulullaah r.
Rasulullaah r said, "Allaah will honour a person with four favours when he cares for
my Sunnah. (These are:) Love for Him in the hearts of the righteous, fear for Him in
the hearts of the sinners, abundance in sustenance and steadfastness in Deen."16 And
Allaah knows best what is most correct.
13 Surah Anfaal, verse 151.
14 Surah Ahzaab, verse 26.
15 Surah Hashar, verse 2.
16 Sharhu Shar'atil Islaam Pg. 8.
Question: What do the Ulema of Deen and the Muftis say about the following: The
Christians here in Britain have the custom of celebrating birthdays. Every year on the
date of a child's birth, they invite family and friends and even arrange for music to
be played. Each person then brings a gift and a large cake is prepared according to
the age of the person. A number of candles corresponding with the number of years
in the person's age are then placed on the cake. If the child is five years old, five
candles are placed on the cake and if he is six, six candles are placed. When
everyone then gathers at night, the child blows out the candles. It is regarded as a
good sign if all the candles are extinguished in one breath and then everyone starts
to cheer. The child then gets to cut the cake and everyone starts to sing, "Happy
birthday to you!"
Although this practice is a Christian practice, many Muslims from India, Pakistan and
other countries are also gradually adopting it. We appeal to you to please shed light
on the subject from viewpoint of the Qur'aan and Ahadeeth. May Allaah reward you
abundantly. It is very possible that Allaah will use your writing as a means of
guidance for the Muslims here. (Bartley, England)
Answer: Hadhrat Abu Sa'eed Khudri t reports that Rasulullaah r said, "You people
will certainly follow in the footsteps of those before you, handspan by handspan and
arm's length by arm's length to the extent that even if they entered the hole of a
chameleon, you would do the same."1
Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Amr t narrates that Rasulullaah r said, "Everything that
happened to the Bani Israa'eel shall happen to my Ummah just as one footstep
follows another, to the extent that even if one of them committed open incest with
his mother, there will be someone from my Ummah who will do the same."2
How can someone who professes to believe in Rasulullaah r and who recites the
Kalimah ever do the things stated in the question? May Allaah forgive. These acts of
sheer ignorance and kufr can be carried out only by those who have no Imaan or
whose Imaan is at the lowest ebb.
Tafseer Baydawi3 mentions some practices of the Kuffaar and then adds that
adopting them is Kufr not because they are Kufr in themselves but because they
denote refutation of Rasulullaah r. A person who believes that Rasulullaah r is the
true Nabi will never adopt these practices."
Rasulullaah r said, "Whoever imitates a nation is from amongst them (in the
Aakhirah)."4 Rasulullaah r also said, "None of you can be Mu'min until his desires are
subservient to that (Deen) which I have brought."5
Hadhrat Abdul Qaadir Jaylaani said, "Saying that you are part of the Ummah of
Rasulullaah r will not benefit you until you follow him in word and in deed. Only then
will you be in his company in the Aakhirah."6
1 Bukhaari (Vol.2 Pg.1088).
2 Mishkaatul Masaabeeh (Pg.30).
3 Pg. 23.
4 Mishkaatul Masaabeeh (Pg.375).
5 Mishkaatul Masaabeeh (Pg.30).
6 Fat'hur Rabbaani Pg.178.
Imitating the Kuffaar is a despised act indeed. Allaama Ibn Hajar Haythami has
quoted from Hadhrat Maalik bin Dinaar that Allaah once sent revelation to one of
the Ambiyaa
saying, "Tell your people that they should never enter the places of
My enemies, never wear the clothing of My enemies and never use the means of
transport of My enemies, otherwise (when they cannot be differentiated) they may
become My enemies just like them."7
Doctor Allaama Iqbal complains (in a couplet which means):
"There is a clamour that there are no Muslims on earth
We say that there must be some Muslims around
Their dressing however is that of the Christians and culture that of the Hindus
Looking at these Muslims even the Jews are put to shame"
People were never invited for birthdays during the time of Rasulullaah r and even
though circumcision is a Sunnah and emphasised practice, people were not even
invited to celebrate this. Hadhrat Hasan reports that when someone invited
Hadhrat Uthmaan bin Abul Aas t to a circumcision ceremony, he refused the offer
saying, "Neither did we invite people for a circumcision ceremony during the
time of Rasulullaah r, nor did we attend any."8
Celebrating birthdays is purely a non-Muslim custom that Muslims should avoid. If
they do not, there is the great danger of their Imaan becoming corrupted. Allaah
says in the Qur'aan: "And do not incline towards (do not associate with and do
not imitate) those who do wrong (the Kuffaar), for then the Fire (of Jahannam)
shall reach you and you will not have any helpers (to save you) against (the
punishment of) Allaah and you will not be assisted (by anyone)."9
The Shari'ah has taught us everything that we need to do and Allaah has also sent
Rasulullaah r to demonstrate everything practically. Allaah says: "There is
definitely an excellent example in Allaah's Rasool r for the one who fears
Allaah and the Last Day, and who remembers Allaah abundantly."10
Another verse of the Qur'aan states: "Hold fast to what (commands) the Rasool
r gives you and refrain from what (actions) He prevents you (because
whatever he instructs you is from Allaah)."11
It is therefore necessary to act according to the example Rasulullaah r set. Ignoring
this example is to beg from the Kuffaar and follow their ways shows gross ingratitude
to the bounty that Allaah blessed us with. The Sahabah y made his example their
beacon light and led their lives as Rasulullaah r taught them. Because of this, they
accomplished great feats that will be remembered until the Day of Qiyaamah. They
also received Allaah's unseen help because of this and their enemies were awestruck
by them. Allaah also sent angels to assist them, as Allaah says about the Battle of
Badr: "When your Rabb commanded the angels saying, "Indeed I am with
you, so strengthen the Mu'mineen (assist them in battle). I soon shall cast
terror into the hearts of the Kuffaar…"12
7 Zawaajir an Iftiraaqil Kabaa'ir Pg.15.
8 Ahmad (Vol.4 Pg.217).
9 Surah Hood, verse 113.
10 Surah Ahzaab, verse 21.
11 Surah Hashar, verse 7.
12 Surah Anfaal, verse 12.
Concerning the Battle of Uhud, Allaah says: "We shall soon cast fear into the
hearts of the Kuffaar because they ascribe partners to Allaah (an act) for
which no justification has been revealed. Their abode (in the Aakhirah) is the
Fire (of Jahannam), and it (Jahannam) is indeed an evil abode for the
oppressors (the wrongdoers)."13
There was a Jewish tribe living in Madinah called the Banu Qurayzah. They were
always scheming to harm the Muslims and concerning the time when the Muslims
finally confronted them in battle, Allaah says: "He (Allaah) made those people of
the Book (the Jewish Banu Qurayzah tribe) who assisted them (the combined
armies) descend from their fortresses (when the Muslims laid siege to them after
the battle) and He cast fear into their hearts (causing them to surrender without
a fight). You execute a party of them and take another party as prisoners."14
Concerning the time when the Muslims faced the Jewish Banu Nadheer tribe in
battle, Allaah says, "Allaah cast terror (for the Muslims) into their hearts (the
hearts of the Jews) and (when they prepared to leave Madinah,) they uprooted
(took down) their homes with their own hands (to take with them as much as
they could carry) and with the hands of the Mu'mineen (who assisted them to
leave). So take heed, O people with insight!"15
All this was attained because the Sahabah y followed the ways of Rasulullaah r.
Rasulullaah r said, "Allaah will honour a person with four favours when he cares for
my Sunnah. (These are:) Love for Him in the hearts of the righteous, fear for Him in
the hearts of the sinners, abundance in sustenance and steadfastness in Deen."16 And
Allaah knows best what is most correct.
13 Surah Anfaal, verse 151.
14 Surah Ahzaab, verse 26.
15 Surah Hashar, verse 2.
16 Sharhu Shar'atil Islaam Pg. 8.
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